ESSAYS BY CONVICTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 604, 2 December 1909, Page 4

ESSAYS BY CONVICTS.

Down in Dunedin the kind persons who take an interest in crituiuals have been catering to the literary and moral instincts of the imprisoned ones. The most recent outcome of this is a series of essays by the dishonest on “How to be Honest,” or something like that. So beneficial a scheme should not be allowed to languish for want of support. . Much excellent reading, both light and instructive, might be obtained from the pens of convicts. For instance, what could be more interesting than a paper on “The Suppression of Passion,” by a murderer “Dangers of Heavy Boots” would be a subject upon which many a burglar might wax eloquent, whilst “How to Hold a Pen,” should be delightfully told by the average forger. Of course, there Would be a difficulty in getting criminals to reveal trade secrets but essays might be planned is, which they might disclose the sweets and sours of ser and so on. The idea of a dishonest person writing about honesty in delicious. It is on a par with the spinster devoting many written words in advising matrons how to manage “hubby,” aud what to feed the baby on. A clergyman would be no better authority upon how to run a gambling den, whilst it could not be expected of a washerwoman that she should produce a noteworthy article on naval warfare.' Nevertheless, all these subjects treated by the persons referred to should strike a new note in literature. The main point is, however, to encourage our convicts to become teachers of morals instead of “’onible examples.”—Wairaraba Age.